Just because your child is, well, a kid doesn’t mean you have to start them on soft, gentle (re: boring) music at the beginning. That’s not your style and—if the posters of the Clash and Twenty One Pilots on their bedroom wall are anything to go by — nor is it theirs. After all, they’ve been listening to your records, playlists, and favorite radio stations since they were born. It would be strange if your musical tastes didn’t rub off on them, at least a little bit. Whether your house is full of classic rock tunes from the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, home-grown Canadian anthems from the Hip or Guess Who, post-punk New Wave hits from Joy Division and Siouxsie Sioux, or current Billboard hits from Cage the Elephant and Bastille, your kid probably has one or all of their choruses memorized. And why wouldn’t they? Your music rocks.
With such a steady music foundation, they don’t need to stick with classical iterations. They’re ready to tackle whatever genre of music they want —including the hardest rock, metal, and punk. As their parents, it’s your job to make sure they’re properly prepared to for a long career behind the fret.
First and foremost, they’ll need the right equipment to get off on the right foot. Second-hand guitars or cheap knock-off brands will suffice, but they won’t cut the right image. (Remember how much image counted when you were their age). How are they going to channel the attitude of Joe Strummer or Tyler Joseph? Just like Strummer himself, they’ll need a well-made Fender guitar — something that looks cool as it sounds — a guitar that with a design as sharp and bright as its notes.
For a versatile and capable guitar, don’t search out Craigslist or Kijiji. When you live in Canada, you might as well search out your local music store and speak with a representative about their line of Telecasters. Since this is Canada, you’ll want to check with the sales reps at Long & McQuade, the most established music store in the country. They can walk you and your budding guitarist through the latest Fender Telecasters for sale at Long & McQuade, helping to find a model that delivers on sound, style, and price with all of the necessary accoutrements.
Once a Fender Telecaster is in their hands, you can turn you sights on lessons. Unless you child is a talented prodigy who can pick up a song simply by listening to it, they’ll need instruction before they can get their head around the fret. With a knowledgeable and accommodating teacher, your child will have an expert musician guiding them through their studies. Together, they’ll learn the best way to discover the notes, chords, scales, and techniques of guitar playing.
Signing them up for beginner guitar lessons is simple enough. You can ask the representative who helped you out with the Telecaster, as Long & McQuade locations offer affordable, flexible, and — most importantly — quality music lessons. Then, all that’s standing in their way between them and a lifelong love of music is practice. Without it, they’ll never get anywhere with their instrument, so help them set out a time each day when they can go over their lessons.
Remember to encourage them, keeping things light and fun as they figure out their way around the Telecaster. If they stick with it, they’ll be able to serenade you with a rendition of your favorite Stones or Hip song. Better yet — they can accompany you in a jam session if you’re a guitarist yourself. So what are you waiting for? Talk to your kid and get them started on the road to rock and roll.